By the Numbers: America’s Top 5 Shotguns

Semi-auto handguns topped the list, which was not much of a surprise. Likewise, semi-auto rifle topped it category, but when it comes to shotguns, that sweet sound of a pump being racked tops the list. Then again, with some of the awesome sales over the past couple of years, who hasn’t picked up a couple extras for when a SHTF scenario becomes reality?

Mossberg 590A1

Mossberg 590A1

The Mossberg 590A1 is one of the best home defense shotguns available on the market today. The Parkerized 590A1 is an outstanding representation of excellence in performance and function. The Mossberg 590A1 comes with an 8 round capacity giving you plenty of ammunition to keep 2 legged miscreants at bay. This is truly a defense purpose specific shotgun giving users the same outstanding shotgun that passed the Mil-Spec 3443 protocols. The Mossberg 590A1 is the only true Mil-Spec Shotgun available. When you buy a shotgun to defend yourself and your loved ones go with the best go with the Mossberg 590A1!

Remington 870 Police

The ultimate choice for virtually any close-range scenario The Model 870 Police Breacher System is designed to meet the needs of todays modern law enforcement community. Based on the durable Model 870, it is designed to fire any 12 gauge 2 ¾” and 3″ load, including standard shotshell, buckshot and breaching rounds. This complete system includes a parkerized finish, retention holster and a button sling and attachment. To complete the package, a soft storage case is provided with dual back pack capabilities.

Mossberg 500 Tactical

The Mossberg 500 Tactical is a great choice for home defense, patrol duty or competition. It features a 20″ barrel with heat shield, fixed cylinder bore and ghost ring sights. The extended magazine tube holds 7 rounds. The Mossberg 500 has been a favorite of sportsmen, law enforcement and the military for decades, with good reason. Simple to operate, totally reliability, combat rugged and outstanding performance are all hallmarks of the Mossberg 500.

Mossberg 500

No other shotgun even comes close to the Mossberg 500 pump action’s remarkable combination of modern design, custom type features and affordability. All come in an array of stocks, barrels, finishes and combo options that make it the perfect, versatile choice from first time hunters to seasoned veterans alike.

Kel-Tec KSG

The KSG is the innovative 12 gauge pump action shotgun from Kel-Tec! Designed primarily as a defensive shotgun, it features a single 18.5″ barrel fed by two separate magazine tubes. A manual selector lever behind the trigger guard allows you to select which tube is feeding the hardened steel receiver. The KSG ejects downward to clear the chamber to give you more reliable operation when you need it most! The dual tube magazines hold an impressive 12 rounds of 3″ shells (6 rounds each) giving you some serious firepower. It will hold 14 rounds of 2-3/4″ shells and its simple reliable action can cycle shells as small as 1-3/4″ if you want to hold even more shots! A familiar cross bolt style safety, a pump release lever located in front of the trigger guard and the ability to clear the chamber without feeding a round are important safety features in any home defense shotgun. The Zytel synthetic forend and pump have top and bottom picatinny rails for mounting lights, optics and accessories. The synthetic stock has a nice thick soft rubber recoil pad to tame the recoil of this powerful shotgun! Take it to the range for shooting fun during the day and sleep peacefully at night with the KSG by your side!

Pump or semi-automatic, which shotgun do you prefer? Give us your top five shotgun picks in the comment section.

Growing up in Pennsylvanias game-rich Allegany region, Dave Dolbee was introduced to whitetail hunting at a young age. At age 19 he bought his first bow while serving in the U.S. Navy, and began bowhunting after returning from Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Dave was a sponsored Pro Staff Shooter for several top archery companies during the 1990s and an Olympic hopeful holding up to 16 archery records at one point. During Daves writing career, he has written for several smaller publications as well as many major content providers such as Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times, Outdoor Life, Petersens Hunting, Rifle Shooter, Petersens Bowhunting, Bowhunter, Game & Fish magazines, Handguns, F.O.P Fraternal Order of Police, Archery Business, SHOT Business, OutdoorRoadmap.com, TheGearExpert.com and others. Dave is currently a staff writer for Cheaper Than Dirt!

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The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!'s blog, "The Shooter's Log," is to provide information-not opinions-to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

Comments (22)

jeff

I am surprised you used three Mossbergs and one 870 police with a short barrel, which most will never own. I like the Mossberg 590 and the Remington police. I own 5 870 police models in different configurations. I am disappointed an Ithica or Winchester did not make the list.

Don

I love my DP-12. I can’t cycle it fast enough to get just a tiny hang up out of it. I now have standards SKO semi auto 12 ga. It’s built on the AR platform. I plan to run it through some tough testing next weekend

Edwin

PLEASE be careful with the KSG! especially if performing a speed fire. Feel free to look up the fellow in Arkansas whose left hand was reduced to a “claw” when his VFG broke in the breech closing stroke, and finger in trigger well on trigger. WARNING, its ugly to look at. I was about to buy a KSG when I came across this. I opted on the awesome DP-12. From a Tool & Die background and looking at both choice was easy.

Gordon

For a less technical review:
I own a Mossberg cruiser, a rem 870 tactical and a KSG.
Of those three, I’d go to the 870 to defend my home.
It’s unfair to judge the Mossberg due to the cruiser configuration – because it IS reliable – but it’s also an obnoxious little shotgun. I considered it almost unusable until I fitted it with an aftermarket vertical foregrip, which improved accuracy & recoil a great deal.
The KSG, while fun, suffers from very unreliable feeding. The allegedly soft, cooshy buttpad was also not enough to prevent a two-week green ‘n’ yellow bruise from 10 rounds! There IS an extended buttpad made by Kel-Tec, and it was a worthwhile investment. Now, if the thing would just chamber reliably.
The 870, though, is just shootable, practical and it works. A Mossberg equivalent would do the same thing; the point here really is don’t go for a fad or niche gun to protect your home. Go for one that’s proven.

Tony

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